Contact: Andrew Smith, Ext 6003 [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That approval be given to the making of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to prohibit certain types of traffic from sections of paths leading from Hursley parish to Crawley parish.

The report recommends that the TROs be made in accordance with the proposal recently advertised .

These paths have recently been the subject of Definitive Map Modification Orders.

2 Reason

2.1 The County Council as highway authority has a duty to protect the use and enjoyment of public rights of way. Occasionally certain types of use of a route can be to the detriment and enjoyment of the right of way. The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 specifically gives the highway authority the powers to prohibit use of routes by certain types of traffic where the authority deem it necessary to protect other users, the path itself, or where such use would be out of keeping with the character of the area. In this instance use of Traffic Regulation Orders are proposed because these reasons apply.

2.2 The routes, which are now recorded as Byways Open to All Traffic, run through a quiet rural area which is ideal for use by people for quiet recreation and which is valued for nature conservation. One of the County Council's corporate aims is `Stewardship of the Environment - protecting our environment by promoting the principles of environmental sustainability'. It is therefore important for the authority to use the powers it has available to ensure that these routes can continue to be used and enjoyed for quiet recreation without a detrimental impact upon the paths or the surrounding area.

2.3 The previous Executive Member considered this matter on March 17^th 2005 nd agreed that the County Council's intention to make TROs should be advertised. The period for the advertisement of the proposal has now expired and the responses have been considered. Eighty-nine responses to the advertisement have been received only one of which objects to the proposals.

3 Other Options Considered and Rejected - Not to propose the making of Traffic Regulation Orders. To make the proposed TROs more restrictive. To make the proposed TROs less restrictive.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - none

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - none

6 Reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent. The use of these routes by motor vehicles has been recognised as being lawful following confirmation of the Definitive Map Modification Order in September 2004.

Approved by: Date:

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Councillor Mrs. M. Snaith